Tag Archives: New Year’s resolution No. 1: Lose weight

New Year’s resolution No. 1: Lose weight is the title of an article written by Katherine Dorsett (http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/diet.fitness/12/31/lose.weight.new.resolution/). She provides an inspiring story about losing weight, and also some tips about making and keeping New Year’s resolutions in 2011:

Clinical psychologist Mark Crawford of Roswell, Georgia, says some people sabotage themselves by not being clear on their goals. He offers some tips for getting it right.

1. Be specific about your goal.
“Saying that you want to lose weight is way too general,” Crawford said. “You should set specific goals, like you want to lose 5 to 10 pounds.”

2. Set a realistic goal.
Make sure you set something achievable and sustainable.

3. Establish a plan to reach your goal.
“Say things like I’m going to exercise four times a week, and I’m going to eat smaller portions,” said Crawford.

4. Set a time frame to reach your goal.
“Thirty days is a manageable goal to start with, and then go from there,” he said.

Above all, Crawford says stay the course. “You will make mistakes,” he said. “You will have slip-ups, it is part of it.” But never use it as an excuse to give up.

A website supported by the National Institute of Health notes “the key to successful weight loss is making changes in your eating and physical activity habits that you can keep up for the rest of your life.”

And even if you don’t need to lose weight, it’s a good idea to follow healthy eating and exercise habits to keep you healthy throughout your lifetime.